Lost Cultures: Living Legacies

The popular image of Japan is often the modern metropolis of Tokyo or its feudal history, samurai and all. But there’s also a culture you may not know about. It predates even the concept of Japan as a nation, while still existing today. So, what is this culture and why are the people still so little-known relative to other aspects of the nation they're a part of? Professors Kinko Ito and Kirsten Ziomek guide us through the history of the Ainu people in Hokkaido, Japan, revealing how that history has led them into the modern era — as well as, of course, how travelers can learn more and interact with the culture in a responsible way.

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New York City’s Lower East Side has been home to many communities, from the Lenape to Dutch and English colonizers to an influx of groups from Europe, China, Puerto Rico, and the American South. How has each arrival and exodus affected the neighborhood — not just in terms of size, but also sustained cultural impact? The Tenement Museum's Dolan Cochran guides us through the history of the Lower East Side, shedding light on the indelible marks each group has left, making it a culturally rich destination for travelers from around the world. Actor Luis Guzmán also joins us to share memories of growing up in the neighborhood. Plus, we’ll offer recommendations from both Cochran and Guzman on the neighborhood gems to visit on your next trip.

For more info visit travelandleisure.com/lostcultures

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Many people think of the Maya as existing mainly – perhaps even solely – in the historical record, far in the past from our modern day. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. So, how have they influenced the architecture, cuisine, and culture of the Yucatan Peninsula and many of the experiences you may have there today? On this episode, we’re joined by Carlos Rosado, a tour guide and editor at Yucatán Magazine, archaeologist Dante García, who leads expeditions to caves and cenotes, and chef Alejandra Kauachi, the founder of Mexico Lindo Cooking, a company that offers cooking classes, tours to Maya villages, and culinary trips. They will discuss the history of the Maya through modern day, and how to experience Mayan culture on your next trip to Mexico.

For more info visit travelandleisure.com/lostcultures

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Los Angeles today is an influencer on the global stage, thanks to its most well-known industry, Hollywood. And its very name hints at the earlier influence of colonizers from Spain and Mexico in the area. But who were the original influencers of the L.A. Basin? And how did this Indigenous culture help shape the way Angelenos and tourists experience the area today? Guests Kimberly Morales Johnson and Desireé Martinez, both members of the Gabrielino-Tongva community, guide us through the history of their people and tell us about the efforts to reestablish and revitalize their culture after past endeavors have attempted to limit and even erase it. They also share how visitors can interact with their history and culture in a responsible way.

For more info visit travelandleisure.com/lostcultures

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Australia is a far-away destination for travelers based in most other parts of the world. Its remoteness has bred unique wildlife and, among its people, an archetypal ability to persevere. Much of the pop culture of the last 40 years may lead you to believe the continent's Aboriginal peoples descended from colonizers — but did you know this population's roots may actually trace back to the first successful seafarers in history? Or that recent research hints they may have arrived on Australia as many as 120 millenia ago? Guests Laura McBride, Tim Selwyn, and Rob Hyatt, all members of Aboriginal communities, share the history of their peoples and how they and others are working to restore, revitalize, and share their cultures, as well as how visitors can responsibly interact with them while on country.

For more info visit travelandleisure.com/lostcultures

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